April event will launch America 250 initiative, running through Fourth of July 2026.
On July 4, 2026 – the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – the United States will mark its 250th birthday. Planning is underway at the national level: the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission has been established to organize America’s celebration (going by the name America 250), and the end of January saw the launch of the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday.
But the events that made America free were as grassroots as they were national, and the America 250 initiative will kick off in April with a re-enactment of a legendary trip designed to reach into communities across the country.
On the night of April 18, 1775, Boston silversmith Paul Revere rode to Lexington, Mass., warning minutemen and households about the approach of British forces. Behind him, the North Church was shining the agreed-upon code from its steeple via lanterns to anyone in the know: “One if by land, and two if by sea,” according to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous poem “Paul Revere’s Ride.” The next day, April 19, were the battles of Lexington and Concord – and the colonists were well prepared.
Carrying the message forward was pivotal to the success of the operation, and it is in this spirit that Two Lights for Tomorrow will serve as the first event of America 250. The commission has called on all of the states’ capitol buildings to display two lights on the evening of Friday, April 18 – and on schools, offices, churches, individual homes and more to shine two lights of their own, with remarks or ceremonies promoting the upcoming birthday. The next day, April 19, will be a day of community service. The commission stated in its promotional flyer that the goal is to “spread a message calling on everyone in the country to join together in support of one another, to serve each other, our neighbors and our communities.”
Kentucky, Utah and DeKalb County, Ill., among others, have already announced their Two Lights for Tomorrow plans. American Legion post facilities are encouraged to participate as well; the Legion is exploring options on working with the Semiquincentennial Commission nationally while also developing commemoration activities of its own. If your department or post would like to get more involved with the initiative, state and territorial commissions’ America 250 websites can be found here.
- Honor & Remembrance